Newtown 0

Bala Town 2

NEWTOWN slipped to tenth in the table following a frustrating defeat at the hands of Bala Town at Latham Park.

Midfielder George Hughes also saw red in injury-time to compound a miserable afternoon for the Robins.

The home side dominated much of the contest with Nick Rushton denied by brother Jon Rushton, making his Bala debut, while the visiting stopper was also on hand to deny James Davies as the Robins began brightly.

Rushton came close to breaking the deadlock on 35 minutes when he hooked inches wide from the edge of the area while Hughes fired over moments later.

Throughout the Lakesiders had failed to test the home defence.

However Newtown were caught by a sucker punch on the stroke of half-time with goalkeeper Dave Jones only able to push Will Evans’ header onto the bar with Nathan Peate following up to score.

The second-half saw few chances for either side with Davies forcing Rushton into action from the edge of the area on the hour while Craig Williams’ free-kick went inches wide on 69 minutes.

Five minutes later Chris Venables forced a fine save from Jones.

Bala introduced Ryan Pryce with five minutes remaining and made an instant impact with his right wing cross converted by Venables.

Deep into stoppage time the Robins were reduced to 10 men as Hughes saw red to complete a miserable afternoon.

Newtown: Jones, Phillips, Kelly, McAllister, O’Neill, Mitchell, Rushton, Davies, Williams, Hughes. Subs: Steventon, Breeze, Evans, Davies, Ofori, Edwards.

Bala Town: Rushton, Smith, Peate, Spittle, Evans, Correia, Leslie, Kay, Mendes, Venables, Shannon, Subs: Pryce, Hones, Morris, Davies, Stephens